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Thursday, 26 October 2006

Too many hoops, not too many overstayers

The problem with the scheme drawn up by David Cunliffe to allow up to five-thousand temporary seasonal workers is not the danger of too many overstayers -- and what way is that to talk about other human beings simply looking for a better life -- the problem is too many hoops to jump through.

The Government is promising tight controls on its new Pacific Island seasonal work permit programme... Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said yesterday that to reduce that risk, the new policy included funding for additional compliance and enforcement officers. "If they do not [return home], the registered employer may be subject to fines and may lose their registered employer status," Mr Cunliffe said. To take part in the scheme, employers must first show that they cannot find New Zealand workers to do the seasonal jobs they need done.

You see, even when the Clark Government frees something up they're more intent on new barriers than they are on new freedoms.

With all the hoops that have to be jumped through to join the programme, you have to wonder how many employers will take up the opportunity. And here's another aspect, reported by NZPA: "Special efforts will be made to ensure unemployed people took up jobs ahead of immigrant workers," said David Benson-Pope.

"Ensuring" people who don't want to work take up jobs ahead of those who do?

4 comments:

...You see, even when the Clark Government frees something up they're more intent on new barriers than they are on new freedoms...

Yeah, 'Overstayer' is a politically dirty word and it only took one 'Overstayer' from that hack Pau Henry this morning before Mr Cunliffe started back-peddling. Pity, they should grow some balls and argue back rather than preempting irrational responses by building in unnecessary red tape.

I thought NZ needs skilled workers? What is the point of bringing in immigrants whose only skills are fruit picking? What will they do once the picking season ends? They will be unemployable and will either be deported, if found, or go on a benefit.

Much better to allow backpacker tourists to earn some extra money by fruit picking, they at least will leave when their visa expires, and even if they don't they will be more skilled and more valuable than Pacific Islanders.

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